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Back in the mix.
The Los Angeles Rams were back at home on Sunday, practicing on their own following Saturday’s amicable joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Here’s how it went down:
Injuries
Worth noting where we came out of things last night:
Wide receivers Tavon Austin and Josh Reynolds were both held out yesterday, as they nurse minor injuries. Still no sign of Lance Dunbar, who we’d all pretty much penciled in as the team’s backup RB/3rd down back.
On the other side of the ball, rookie Samson Ebukam joined veterans Robert Quinn, Michael Brockers, and Lamarcus Joyner on the sideline.
And for earlier tonight (the first two sentences, not the latter):
Basically just a walk-thru practice for Rams today. Many veterans didn't participate. One item of note: J. Brown at RG, Havenstein at RT
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) August 6, 2017
Rest is going to be a premium effort moving forward. Following the loss of DE Dominique Easley to an ACL injury for the entirety of the 2017 season, the Rams need to ensure health is made a primary priority moving forward. There’s no indication that hasn’t been the case. But the loss of a starting defensive lineman only reinforces that.
McVay’s Offense
The big word out of practice today was the switch of Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown:
One notable element from practice today: Rob Havenstein & Jamon Brown flipped on the line. Havenstein at RT, Brown at RG.
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) August 7, 2017
Havenstein worked into the RT slot from Day 1 after being drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft while Brown, despite some weird shenanigans in 2015, has worked in at RG as well since being brought in. Last year added some confusion with OL Cody Wichmann getting the season start and plenty of work throughout 2016.
So while earlier this year the switch of Havenstein from RT to RG and Brown vice versa was interesting, it’s today’s switch back that carries the heaviest weight tonight.
Consider how ugly things were for the line coming out of 2016. To not add anyone through the draft requires a hell of a delicate touch for 2017. So to flip them now after a couple of months of work in new positions is...noticeable. Here’s what HC Sean McVay had to say:
I think we’re just continuing to find whatever that best mix is for our five guys up front and really with the exceptions of (G) Roger (Saffold), (C) John (Sullivan) and (T Andrew) Whitworth, all those guys are kind of moving around as we continue to find the best way to get those five coordinated and adjusted up front.
Stay tuned.
Wade’s Defense
Largely mum on the defense today with the OL switch, plus the fact it was a light, one-hour practice.
#FightForLA
Yesterday’s practice was a marker, a marker that picks up on Wednesday with another joint practice.
How this plays out over the preseason as greater hype builds for the Chargers’ 2017 season than the Rams’ is yet to be seen. Stay tuned.